Most management roles in children's residential care feel like you're drowning in paperwork while fighting fires all week. This is different: you'll lead an established, well-resourced team in a purpose-built home where your job is to create the culture, not just manage the crisis. If you've got the RMA and the track record to prove you can inspire a team and genuinely improve young people's lives, this is the role that rewards that
You'll be managing a short-stay respite home for young people with autism, learning difficulties and complex needs. This isn't about urgent interventions or chaos management; it's about creating a safe, nurturing space where families get breathing room and young people thrive during their time with you. Your team will look to you for direction, your safeguarding practice will set the tone, and every policy you develop will directly shape the quality of care these young people receive
The home is part of a genuine not-for-profit charity where money goes straight back into support services, not shareholder pockets. You'll have access to comprehensive training and development, wellbeing support from Mental Health First Aiders, free weekly yoga sessions, and an Employee Assistance programme. The team here values long service: after 10 years you'll be on 33 days holiday plus bank holidays, with cash gifts and extra time off to show it
This is a permanent, full-time role with real financial stability. £49,953 salary, plus sleep-in allowance at £107.60 per shift, weekend pay at time and a quarter, on-call payments, a generous pension scheme with up to 7% company contributions, and enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave. You're not cutting corners; you're building something sustainable
What you will be doing
- Create and maintain a safe, caring, secure environment that meets the physical health, social and emotional needs of young people with autism and learning difficulties
- Lead your team with positive, effective supervision and appraisal, supporting less experienced staff to deliver high-quality care and achieve Quality Care Standards
- Take primary responsibility for safeguarding assessments, risk recording, and key working for complex cases, especially those involving safeguarding concerns
- Develop, implement and monitor policies and systems; supervise direct care work and ensure each young person's care plan is properly formulated and reviewed
- Build and maintain productive relationships with schools, families, other agencies and the wider community to maximise educational opportunities and life outcomes
- Promote the home's reputation through professional communication at meetings and clear, factual reporting to Ofsted and partner organisations
Why you will love working here
- £49,953 annual salary, rising with experience, plus sleep-in allowance (£107.60 per shift), weekend enhancements (time and a quarter), and on-call payments (£40 weekdays, £80 weekends, £120 bank holidays)
- 27 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (rising to 30 days plus bank holidays after 5 years, then 33 days after 10 years), with a generous pension scheme, death in service benefit, and occupational sick pay
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications, plus wellbeing support from trained Mental Health First Aiders and free weekly yoga sessions
- A real living wage employer with genuine commitment to staff: cycle to work scheme, Blue Light card eligibility, staff discount platform, refer-a-friend bonuses, and long service awards with cash gifts
- Work for a not-for-profit charity where every pound supports the young people and families you serve; you're building something that matters, not padding a corporate bottom line
Is this you?
- Is this you: You hold a Registered Manager's Award (Level 5 RMA Children) and have completed QCF Level 3 or 4 CFYP (or the old NVQ Children's Residential)?
- You have significant residential childcare experience and a proven track record of getting strong results from your staff team
- You understand Ofsted regulations and expectations, and you can demonstrate effective, confident leadership
- You're genuinely committed to safeguarding and child welfare; you know how to assess risk, spot concerns and act decisively
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.